“Your true nature is not lost in moments of delusion, nor is it gained at the moment of enlightenment. It was never born and can never die.” —- Huang Po
It becomes quite challenging to embrace fully what the above quote intrinsically means, relating to each of us personally. That is where we start, looking at the meaning of what our true nature involves in the most fundamental terms. In certain instances, clarification comes from what we understand to be our first conscious memory of existence. For some, memory is reflected at age two , sometimes before . . . but rarely. We all become conscious, presently aware or both at different times. This isn’t a competition, just conscious recognition of our true essence and nature, which has existed for all of us in another dimension before our birth, and will go on after we pass from the earth. This revelation for many individuals is a wake-up call, which changes the direction of their lives, impacting the trajectory of who they thought they were and now consciously understand the nature their existence. Understanding that whether we become lost, confused, frustrated, disillusioned or carried in a myriad of different directions of so-called enlightenment for a period of time . . . our true nature or essence never changes. Rasha suggests another view with this quote, “The nature of your world is no more and no less than a reflection of the composite vision of the consciousness present.”
Given that we are all products of our orientation and environment, with strong imprinting by those who were of immediate influence in our lives, we then take on the mantle of personal responsibility, accountability, character, integrity, principles, values, ethics, courage, honesty and truth. Sometimes it’s a combination of these elements and sometimes . . . it is not. Of course, we must all understand that chronological age has absolutely nothing to do with present awareness or the awakening of our consciousness relating to our true nature or essence. In this life’s journey, we are given the gift of choice at every turn, step, level, and fork in the road. This escapes no one. However, when the individual comes to terms with the essence of being, comprehending that one’s true nature as Huang Po suggests, “… was never born and will never die,” is beyond daunting. Of course, there exists moments and in some cases decades of self-delusion to ourselves and all those in whom we come in contact, however, in the last analysis the words of Edmond Burke present clarity . . . “Hypocrisy can afford to be magnificent in its promises; for never intending to go beyond promises; it costs nothing.”
Remember over the years we heard several people who had a positive influence on our lives say something to the effect of . . . be your own best friend? Sadly so many of us squandered that opportunity with forceful indignation, stubborn resignation and complete stupidity. However, sometimes we profoundly learn when our energy is ebbing that is the source of life itself a point of reflection, through the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson that “Nothing at last is sacred but the integrity of your own mind.” We learn in another dimension of time, what we knew all along . . . the true essence of our nature . . . through infinity. JLR